A photographer has caught on camera the moment that a reckless youngster rollerbladed along a railway line moments before a train thundered through Highbridge Railway Station.
The boy was spotted jumping off a platform with a pal to perform the stunt, which was first mentioned on Burnham-On-Sea’s discussion forums here last weekend.
The photographer, who does not want to be named, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “As I walked past the station on Sunday afternoon I saw the two lads, one of them trying to rollerblade on the line. About two minutes or so after I took the picture, I heard a train going past, on the northbound line. They were on the southbound line.”
“My neighbour, who works for First Great Western, called his office to warn other trains due to pass by shortly, whilst I called 999 to tell the police. British Transport Police called me back about half an hour to tell me they had dealt with it.”
He added that the incident is still being investigated.
Operator First Great Western said in a statement: “Anyone who trespasses onto the railway is taking a huge gamble with their own lives. The railway is an inherently dangerous environment, with high speed trains and electric currents, and it should never be treated as a playground or somewhere to hang about.”
A police officer was sent to the scene and had a “strong word” with the boys, but no further action was taken.